natural health treatment

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Home Remedies for Water Retention

A tendency toward water retention
indicates a weakness in the adrenals/kidneys, the circulatory system or
possibly the heart. Fluid retention or bloat that seems to be a menopausal and
premenstrual problem is easily remedied, says Susun Weed. She notes "If
you tend to bloat, the kidneys must work very hard, and become fatigued. In
this circumstance optimal fluid intake should be limited to a quart/liter of
fluids daily."

Edema once known as dropsy is an evident case of swelling of your organs or
tissue due to collection of fluid. It mainly happens in the feet, ankles and
legs because it is the most affected part due to gravity which is also known as
peripheral edemawhich affects your face and hands too. There are two kinds of
enema pitting edema and non-pitting edema. Pitting edema causes an indentation
when you press your fingers on the swollen areas; non- pitting edema leaves no
indentation. Women are more susceptible to this kind of condition in comparison
to men.

Bananas. Go ape and grab a few bananas. Slice 'em on your cereal, make a
smoothie, or just peel and eat them plain. Bananas contain high amounts of
potassium, which helps eliminate fluid retention. Not a banana fan? Gobble down
a handful of raisins instead.

Avoid diuretics: Though diuretics are effective for the flushing out of excess
water in the people with the heart, kidney or liver disease, they can also
cause rebound edema. Continuous usage will activate the salt and water
retaining hormones and when stopped, these hormones are activated and cause
water retention.

Water. When you feel waterlogged, guzzling a glass of H2O might be the last
thing on your mind. But it may be the best thing for you. Water flushes out the
system better than anything else and can reduce premenstrual bloating. Drink 8
to 10 glasses a day; more when you exercise. (NOTE: This advice is only for PMS
bloating. If your water retention is caused by any other medical condition, be
sure to ask your doctor before drinking extra water -- it may not be good for
you.)

A good diet combined with equal amount of exercise can make things very easy
for you. Include cucumber and watermelon in your daily diet for good dose of
potassium.

Exercise continuously: Exercise has been shown to reduce the water retention by
flushing out the water and salt through sweating, higher respiration and
increased urine flow. If you have been sitting for a long time, walk up and
down or climb stairs every hour. You can also try the following exercise: point
the toes downward, then raise them up as high as possible which pumps up the
calf and foot muscles. You can also raise your hands up overhead.

Essential oils that may help fluid retention include cypress, geranium,
juniper, lavender and rosemary. Essential oils may be used in a number of ways
including inhalation, baths, vaporizers, mouthwashes and gargles, compresses
and massage.

Lie down with feet up: Recline with feet up in the raised position. This will
allow the fluid collected in the legs to go to the circulatory systems and from
there to the kidneys for excretion.